Overview

The SMB Market OpportunitySmall and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have become the IT industry’s fastest-growing segment. With this trend comes a heightened demand from customers for knowledge-able network professionals who can successfully design and deploy Cisco® SMB solutions. This is especially true in the SMB market, where customers rely heavily on their partners as trusted advisers.

The Evolution of the Cisco Channel Partner ProgramWith the Cisco Select Certification and Small and Midsize Business Specialization, Cisco continues to demonstrate its commitment to the fast-growing SMB segment by helping partners further develop their skills and capabilities so they can address the market opportunity and be successful with SMB customers. Both the Select Certification and the Small and Midsize Business Specialization are designed to help partners grow, differentiate, build customer satisfaction, and increase their exposure to new customers in the SMB market.

Cisco Select CertificationCisco Select Certification is the entry point into the Cisco Channel Partner Program for partners with a primary focus on the SMB market. This certification offers training, tools, and incentives and demonstrates a partner’s competency in selling and deploying Cisco SMB solutions. The Select Certification provides a step between Cisco Registered and Premier Certified Partners.

Cisco is rewarding partners who achieve the Select Certification and Small and Midsize Business Specialization with incentives that are aligned to their investment in this certification. The incentives vary by region.*

* Contact your local Cisco representative for more information about the details specific to your region.

Cisco Select Certification and Small and Midsize Business Specialization

Cisco—Committed to SMB-Focused Partners

1 © 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Overview

BenefitsCisco Select Certification differentiates SMB-focused partners as having the expertise sought by SMB customers. It also presents new business-building opportunities for SMB-focused partners.

Benefits include:

• The ability to differentiate your company using the Cisco Select Certified Partner logo

• Eligibility for Value Incentive Program (VIP) Express Track

• Access to Cisco partner incentives such as Opportunity Incentive Program (OIP), Teaming Incentive Program (TIP) or Solutions Incentive Program (SIP)

• Eligibility to sell Cisco Smart Care Service

• Being listed as Small and Midsize Business Specialized and as Select Certified in the Cisco Partner Locator tool

• Access to a virtual partner kit that contains useful sales tools and resources, such as a Certificate of Achievement, the Cisco Select Certified logo, and information about Cisco certification and specializations

• Certified-level access to Cisco.com

• Use of the Cisco Competitive Portal

• Use of the Cisco Quote Builder quick quoting tool

Additional benefits and incentives may be available in your region. Contact your local Cisco team for specifics.

TrainingThe training courses for the Cisco Small and Midsize Business Specialization are designed for ease and efficiency. The courses for both the engineer and account manager roles are available in e-learning format (at no cost) or as instructor-led training (ILT).

RequirementsTo achieve Cisco Select Certification, you must:

• Identify a person within your company who will assume an account manager role and one who will assume an engineer role. It is possible for one individual to assume both roles.

• Have these individuals take the recommended account manager and engineering training and pass two exams.

• Provide support service eight hours a day, five days a week.

Like all Cisco channel partner certifications, Select Certification is valid for one year from the time a partner meets all requirements.

2 © 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. To view a list of Cisco trademarks, go to this URL: www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1110R) DDM13CS4142 09/13

Overview

Cisco Small and Midsize Business SpecializationThe Cisco Small and Midsize Business Specialization recognizes SMB-focused partners and provides further opportunity for partners to use the Cisco brand.

It focuses on a partner’s validated ability to successfully sell, design, and deploy proven Cisco solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (those with fewer than 250 employees). The Small and Midsize Business Specialization is designed to help partners grow, differentiate, build customer satisfaction, and increase their exposure to customers in the SMB market.

Cisco Small and Midsize Business Specialization is very attainable for SMB-focused partners. It is required for Select Certification, and Small and Midsize Business Specialization counts only toward Select Certification.

For More InformationSelect Certification: www.cisco.com/go/select

Small and Midsize Business Specialization: www.cisco.com/go/smbspecialization

• Certification entry point for Cisco Registered Partners

• Provides growth path and partner differentiation

• Training, tools, and rewards for SMB-focused partners

Specialization Portfolio

Small Midsize BusinessSpecialization

Select Master

Content Security

Routing & Switching

Security

Wireless LAN

Uni�ed Fabric

Uni�ed Computing

IP NGN

Borderless Network

Data Center

Collaboration

Techno

logy

Architecture

Advanced

Express Collaboration

Express Foundation

Premier